Community Invited to Celebrate Balfour Park and New Sounders FC Soccer Mini-Pitch

SPOKANE VALLEY, WA-Community members are invited to a celebration of the newly expanded Balfour Park hosted by partners City of Spokane Valley, Seattle Sounders FC and RAVE Foundation, the Sounders FC's charitable arm, and Spokane Valley Library. The party is from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 19, in the park located at 105 N. Balfour Road. There will be a short program at 4 p.m. with Sounders FC's Brad Evans, including the ceremonial first goal.

Kids of all ages and adults are invited to the park to be the first to play on the new Sounders FC soccer mini-pitch. Thanks to the generosity of Delta Air Lines, kids will receive a free soccer ball, t-shirt and book from Seattle Sounders FC and RAVE Foundation while supplies last. Additional activities include free food, music, soccer skills and drills and much more!

"Parks provide positive experiences for all ages, promoting physical activity, well-being, and social interactions," said Parks and Recreation Director John Bottelli. "We're excited to celebrate this new community gathering space in the heart of Spokane Valley, and deeply grateful for the generosity and support of our partners in making this vision a reality."

"We're honored to be investing mini-pitch number 22 in our '26 Fields by 2026' Initiative," said Ashley Fosberg, Seattle Sounders FC's Vice President of Social Impact and Executive Director of RAVE Foundation. "The momentum for this initiative has grown exponentially in the last year - no doubt due to our partnership and alignment with the FIFA World Cup 2026 and their legacy commitment to leave our state filled with more opportunities to play as a result of the world's biggest sporting event coming to the Pacific Northwest. But it's communities like Spokane Valley that bring these mini-pitches to life by sharing them with their community and using them as gathering places and points of pride. Through Sounders FC, we align with generous partners that support our mission - and we have Delta Air Lines to thank for the Balfour Park project, and for their long-time commitment to RAVE. We're excited to celebrate on Sept. 19 and share in the joy!"

The project integrates 5.6 acres of previously undeveloped land into Balfour Park, now totaling approximately 8.3 acres adjacent to the Spokane Valley Library. Phase I of the park improvements is complete and includes a Sounders FC soccer mini-pitch, Veterans Memorial, events plaza, pathways, lighting, landscaping, restrooms and expanded parking. Future park improvements are anticipated to include a signature playground, splash pad, sport courts, picnic shelter and covered stage with amphitheater.

Learn more about Balfour Park and the event at SpokaneValleyWA.gov/Balfour.

MEDIA CONTACT
Jill Smith, Communications Manager
[email protected]
c: 509-953-6695

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